Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: United Nations – United Nations –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
February 26, 2026 Human rights
"The situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory is a man-made disaster," UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk said Thursday. He presented a report to the Human Rights Council covering the period from November 1, 2024, to October 31, 2025.
The document, according to Türk, demonstrates serious violations by both Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups.
Large-scale losses among civilians
Data collected by the UN Human Rights Office (OHCHR) points to the systemic nature of violations. According to the report, more than 25,500 Palestinians, including entire families, were killed in Gaza during the reporting period, and more than 68,800 were injured. Among the dead were Palestinian journalists. The UN Office confirmed that 292 media workers have been killed in Israeli operations since October 7, 2023.
In August 2025, a mass famine was declared in Gaza. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 463 Palestinians, including 157 children, died of starvation.
“This was a direct result of Israel’s blocking of humanitarian aid and other deliberate actions,” the High Commissioner emphasized.
Israeli hostages
The UN human rights chief also stressed that Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups continued to hold hostages throughout 2025, in clear violation of international law.
Fifty-one people captured on October 7, 2023, were returned to their families. After their release, they recounted the ordeals they had endured, including sexual and gender-based violence, torture, beatings, and prolonged detention in underground facilities.
West Bank: Increased violence and displacement
In the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, Israeli forces continued to use force. Operation Iron Wall, launched in January 2025, led to the forced displacement of 32,000 people.
At the same time, Palestinian security forces frequently used excessive or disproportionate force, resulting in the deaths of at least eight Palestinians. More than 300 people were arbitrarily detained and subjected to ill-treatment.
The truce did not bring real peace.
While the ceasefire of October 11, 2025 brought some relief, it did not lead to sustainable protection of the civilian population, Turk said.
According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip have killed more than 600 Palestinians and injured over 1,600 since the ceasefire took effect. Meanwhile, the UN Human Rights Office has documented at least 80 cases of killings of Palestinians by Hamas, primarily during extrajudicial executions and clashes with rival factions.
In addition, at least 11 children have died of hypothermia in Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect.
Violations of international law
The High Commissioner expressed regret over Israel's decision to suspend the activities of approximately 37 humanitarian organizations in the Gaza Strip. He also condemned the ban on the operations of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) and the demolition of its facilities in East Jerusalem, calling these steps a violation of international law.
Turk expressed serious concern about Israel's continued moves to expand its control over Palestinian territories, which could be "aimed at constant change in the demographic structure in Gaza and the West Bank, raising fears of ethnic cleansing."
He also criticised measures against international mechanisms, including sanctions against representatives of the International Criminal Court and the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, Francesca Albanese.
Albanese, who is not a UN employee but acts in her personal capacity under a mandate from the Human Rights Council, spoke today in Geneva alongside other independent experts. They condemned attempts to undermine their work.
Attacks on independent experts are "unacceptable"
Speaking to reporters, Special Rapporteur on Afghanistan Richard Bennett rejected calls for Albanese to resign after videos were published online distorting her remarks about Israel.
Last July, it was added to the US sanctions list. Previously, starting in February of last year, measures were imposed on judges and prosecutors of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Bennett stressed that states "may strongly disagree and have every right to express that disagreement in a strong manner," but that deliberate distortion of statements and "attacks" on independent experts are unacceptable.
"International sanctions are intended for human rights violators and criminals, not for human rights defenders," he said.
Special Rapporteurs and other independent human rights experts are not UN staff and do not receive remuneration for their work. Human rights—along with peace, security, and development—are one of the fundamental pillars of the United Nations.
Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.